Introducing: Aoife Mulholland
From: Salthill, Galway
Age: 28
Occupation: Student
Family: She has two brothers, Alan and Eddie, and a sister Lisa. She is the youngest of the four.
Experience: Music Degree from University College Dublin, MA Acting and Musical Theatre (Central School of Speech and Drama), ex lead singer in funk / jazz band, lots of Am Dram.

Aoife is the only Irish girl in the competition and is currently studying for an MA in Acting and Musical Theatre at the Central School of Speech and Drama (along with Abi). The youngest of four children, Aoife grew up in Salthill, a seaside resort in Ireland. She is always up for a "craic" and has embraced student life!

Entertainment runs in her family - her grandparents owned a pub and her granddad was often the main entertainer. When her family get together there's always a sing-song. The first amateur musical Aoife starred in was The Sound Of Music - she played Brigitta and her brother played Fredrick. Six months before her course at the Central School of Speech and Drama, Aoife moved to London and managed to get a professional four month contract singing with Dance of Desire (a show similar to Riverdance). Aoife also teaches singing with Stagecoach for 6-16 year olds most weekends and she absolutely loves it!

Her favourite singers are Aretha Franklin, Lauren Hill and Erykah Badu. Aoife is a pianist and an Irish dancer and if she couldn't perform then she would be a property developer.

When did you first realise you had a talent for singing?
Aged five maybe? I come from a very musical family - every year we would meet on Christmas night and all the kids were encouraged to get up and perform. I think it was then that I realised I loved singing.

What is your favourite musical?
Les Mis, a masterpiece!

Who is your favourite character in a musical and why?
Eliza Doolittle from My Fair Lady. I love her transformation from a rough-and-ready girl to a sophisticated lady.

What qualities do you have similar to those of Maria?
Playful, I try not to take myself too seriously. I speak my mind but know when to hold back. I also handle big things in my life in my stride but the little things get me into a right tizzy!

Why should you be the next Maria?
Until the age of 17 I was surrounded by nuns at school so I really know how they think… No seriously! Maria is just the best character to play. She's funny, boisterous, speaks her mind, passionate, hard working, practical, tom boy-ish yet girly, I mean she is just everything!!! It would be such a challenge to play that role (I love a good challenge!) and I'd give it my all.

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